A catalogue of the medicinal plants, indigenous and exotic, growing in the state of New-York : with a brief account of their composition and medical properties / by Charles A. Lee.

  • Lee, Charles A. (Charles Alfred), 1801-1872.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A catalogue of the medicinal plants, indigenous and exotic, growing in the state of New-York : with a brief account of their composition and medical properties / by Charles A. Lee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    0ravel, the patient should drink copiously of a strong infusion, warm. A useful remedy. Conium* Maculatum, Linn., (Poison Hemlock). The leaves and seed contain resin, extractive, gum, albumen, a green fecula, saline matters, and two volatile substances ; one an oil, on which the odor of the plant depends ; the other an alkaline principle, conia, ronine, coni- cene, etc. This is the active principle of the plant, and is a colorless oily liquid, lighter than water, and causing death almost as soon as hy- drocyanic acid. (See Wood df Bache.) Narcotic, without being de- cidedly stimulant or sedative to the circulation. Generally believed to possess anodyne, antispasmodic, antiphrodisiac, deobstruent and diu- retic properties. Has no curative virtues in scirrhus or cancer, though decidedly palliative. Panax Quinquefolium, Linn., (Common Ginseng). A favorite article among the Chinese, forming an ingredient in nearly all their prescriptions ; formerly exported in large quantities to Canton, from this country. The root, which is fleshy, and spindle-shaped, has a fee- ble odor, and a sweet, slightly aromatic taste, like liquorice. Has no other medicinal properties than those of a mild and pleasant demulcent, CoRNUst Florida. Linn., (Common Dogwood). A valuable tonic and astringent; its properties closely resemble those of the Peruvian bark. Has been used with success in intermittent and typhoid fevers. May be given in powder, decoction, or extract. Decoct., officinal. C. Alternifolia, Linn., (Alternate-leaved Dogwood). The bark of this species forms one of the Shaker medicines; is diaphoretic, tonic and astringent. C Circinata, Linn., (Round-leaved Dogwood). Possesses similar virtues to the Florida, used in same way ; taste bitter, astringent and aromatic. The late Dr. Ives used an infusion made by pouring O. j. boiling water on to I j. of the coarsely-powdered bark. Dose % j. to *% . ., . C Sericea, Linn., (Swamp Dogwood). Possesses similar virtues to the above species. The same remark will apply to the C. Pani- culata. Pastinaca Sativa, Linn., (Common or Wild Parsnip). Esculent. Osmorhiza Longisttlis, Be Can., (Sweet Sicily). A very pleasant carminative. Children often mistake the Cicida for it. To these indigenous plants may be added various cultivated exotics, as Carum, (Caraway). Fcenicultjm, (Fennel). Anethum, (Dill). * The koneion of Theophrastus, from konos, a cone or top, whose whirling motion resembles the giddiness produced by this plant.-Hoofcor t From the Latin, cornus, horn, from the hardness of the wood.